The Brookhaven leader., 1887-08-04
THE TOBACCO CROP.

Short Acreage, Coupled with Drought,
Promises to Increase the Price of the
weed-Those who Chose Can Take
Timely Warning.
NEw York. July 30.-Those who enjoy
the contemplative pipe and those who find
life's comfort by nibbing at plug-cake
made out of tobacco and molasses, will lay
ina good stock of those commodities early
il they are wise. Small acreage and
drought have caused an advance in price,
which began last month. May is the
planting time. 4 farmer ought TO a. cTage
cents a pound for the kind Of tobacco
used for smoking and plug making. Last
years average was 3 cents. Thereon gem
eral disgust prevailed, and when planting
time came around the Indiana and Illinois
farmers, almost en- masse, used their land
for other crops. There was also great
departure from the old ruts in Kentucky.
About month ago, out of 1900 inquiries
more than II 900 replies come from farm
ers outside the famous hurley dis
trict in Kentucky, showing an acre
age In tobacco of 25,590 acres,
against 1898 acres last year. In
the hurley district 1895 acres have been
planted, against 81, ,663 acres last year.
Virginia reports showed a corresponding
dnninution of acreage. These reports
spurted prices at once, the farmers heard
of the advance, and general preparations
were made for a planting late in June; but
in June a terrible drought was on all
through the tObacco-grOwin2 district.
Tobacco must be planted in wet ground.
The farmers held on in the hope Of rain,
but none came. Now that rain has fallen
il is too late tu plant. for tobacco crop
must have ninety DAYS of warm weather.
The feelings and remarks IF the farmers
NAV be imagined when they hear that tde
worst of last years Virginia crop that was
ruined by frost when in the ground and
has since lain loo e and unprotected. is
now eagerly sous ht at $5.jOper 100 pounds.
Ordinarily it can not find buyers at 20
cents Low grade tobacco that went
begging last year at cents pound is
snatched uD at cents, and better grades,
high last year at 10 cents, are now at
20 cents. Heavy tobacco has doubled
in price, The average advance fol
smoking and plug tobaccos has been at
least 80 per cent. Manufacturers are fast
approaching a corresponding advance IN
their prices 10 the trade. While disgust
and drought are mainly responsible for
present conditions, speculation has played
an important part The Spanish Govern.
ment has had an agent here yearly to buy
millions of pounds of this class of to-
hacco. The former agent took bids here,
and it was commonly understood that, no
matter who got the award, the trade at
large furnished the supply. \ new
agent came. He went to the
farmers direct: then the traders
dumped prices. As the agent
agreed to pay the market rates to the
farmers, he was the only gamer by this
move. He was allowed to repeat this OPP
Grafton last year, the effect being to dis
gust the farmers with the low prices. This
wear the traders are taking their innings
and thev have captured all the tobacco.
What the Spanish agent wants he must
get from item: Other European agents
are said to be caught with expensive con-
tracts on hand, so that domestic consum-
ers will have plenty of company in the
prices to be paid. Leaf tobacco used for
cigars is not affected by the advance.